Diseases of the joints in the human body, which occur on the background of degenerative changes, they bear one common name – arthrosis. They can be of different origin, but they all have similar mechanisms of development. However, depending on what part of the musculoskeletal system is involved in the disease process, the disease has its own name. If the disease develops in the knee joint, it bears the name of gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis of the knee joint. To function of the knee and avoid disabilities, when running forms of the disease require hospitalization and operative treatment. While in the debut of the disease in the initial symptoms is the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint by using medications, massage and other methods, can be successful and is in the home.
What it is – osteoarthritis of the knee joint, the mechanism of the development
Gonarthrosis is osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) in the knee joints, quite often met in medical practice disease, especially in patients over 40 years.
The anatomical structure of the knee joint is somewhat more difficult than for other joints. It's not covered with muscles and the movement is in one plane, and her healthy biomechanics are highly dependent on the functional status of the hip joint and ankle.
When knee osteoarthritis there is a progressive destruction of the cartilage that covers the surface of the sustainableuse of the bones of the knee joint.
The joint is deformed, distorted his features. The patient feels pain in the knees, has difficulty in walking.
According to statistics, women suffer from this disease more often than men. And especially attentive to the featured emerging diseases should be ladies with overweight and prone to varicose veins.
The causes of the pathology
We distinguish two forms of arthrosis of the knee joint: primary and secondary.
The primary starts its development relatively early in childhood or young age.
The cause of this pathology serves as the incorrect formation of the ligamentous apparatus of the joint surfaces. This way is disturbed, the biomechanics are the authority, and during operation is exposed to excessive your options load. This then leads to degenerative changes in the knees of both legs.
Secondary. This form of arthritis is a consequence of other diseases or injuries of the knee joint. Degenerative processes can affect both knees or just one of them.
The main reasons for the emergence of a secondary arthrosis of the knee joints include:
- fractures of the bones of the lower extremities, contusions and sprains of the knees, which are accompanied by injuries to the cartilage tissue of the joint or ligaments;
- flat feet, causes the shift of the center of gravity of the body and increase the pressure on the foot;
- operative removal of the menisci, which leads to rapid wear and tear of all the structures of the knee joint;
- diseases of the blood vessels of the lower extremities, which affect the nutrition of the cartilage tissue;
- unnecessarily high physical load, which are characteristic for athletes;
- violation of the metabolic processes in the body and lose weight;
- arthritis, and especially, if during the the disease is accompanied by abundant formation of fluid in the articular cavity;
- hereditary factors.
Extent and symptoms of the arthrosis of the knee joint
All the betrayal gonartrózaa lies in the fact that this disease develops very slowly and in this case, in the first stage – is almost without symptoms. Long months or even years the victim may not know about the disease, only occasionally complain of a feeling of discomfort in the knees.
The initial stage of arthrosis of the knee joint gives to know about itself the slight pain during the first morning steps, when moving on a ladder, in physical education classes. No external changes in the configuration of the knee when it happens.
Upon the occurrence of the second phase of the development of the disease, the painful feelings are more pronounced, arise with every movement and accompanied by a distinct crunch. Cavity of the knee joint is inflamed, it forms a liquid. During the inspection, and palpation becomes noticeable starting to the deformation of the body. The range of movements in it decreases.
For the third phase of the gonartrózaa characterized by painful, which takes place even in the absence of motion. Many patients complain also to the amplification of pain before the weather changes. The knee joints in patients who in this stage of the development of the disease, almost losing his musculoskeletal system function.
Deformity of the knee becomes clearly expressed, the patient's feet take O-shape or X-like shape. Strongly changing gait.
The symptoms of the arthrosis of the knee joint, which develops on the background of injuries, are manifested faster. The knee swells, there is a persistent painful sensations, which are extended after active physical exertion. Later there is a feeling of stiffness in the joint. In the post-traumatic form of the disease from the first symptoms until serious changes can pass only a few months.
Diagnostic examination
Diagnosis of the disease is built on the analysis of the complaints of the patient, his individual risk factors, clinical symptoms and results of instrumental studies.
The easiest and cheapest way of obtaining accurate information about the status of the completion of the joints is x-ray diagnostics. It takes place at least in two levels: direct and side. The images make it possible to detect the degree of lesion of the cartilage and bone surfaces of the joint.
Ultrasound examination of the knee joint gives the opportunity to analyze the quantity and condition of the fluid in the synovial cavity, assessment of the condition of the soft tissues – blood vessels, ligaments, muscles.
Magnetic and computed tomography give the greatest amount of information. They allow you to create a detailed three-dimensional model of the investigated organ.
Conservative therapy for arthrosis in home conditions
Depending on the stage of the disease and the severity of the lesions of the body the doctor is an individual scheme of treatment for each patient. Arthritis always requires a systemic approach to the treatment!
On the second and third stage of development of the disease cure arthritis completely impossible, but when the good results of treatment it is possible to achieve long remission, when the manifestations of the pathology completely absent or are minimal.
In the initial stage it is possible to almost a full recovery if diagnosed correctly the cause of arthrosis and you have the option to delete it (the deliverance of the patient from excess weight, for example).
Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint shall have the following objectives:
- the removal of pain syndrome;
- maximum use of the affected cartilage and ligamentous apparatus;
- increase range of motion in the knee joint.
And for their achievement, must use the whole complex of therapeutic activities.
Medicinal treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint
Initially it is necessary to alleviate the condition of the patient, reduce pain and inflammation. The task to manage well the non-steroidal anti-antiinflammatory drugs of the last generation. These drugs have significant advantages compared with their predecessors, the side effects of which was dehydration of the cartilage, that provoked its further destruction. Effectively reduces inflammation and pain, non-steroidal antirheumatic new generation has no harmful effects on the cartilage of the joint surface. But even long it should be taken with caution and only according to the instructions of the attending physician.
Fast at home relieve pain, reduce inflammation helps to compress the solution of Dimexidum with novocaine and hydrocortisone.
Quite often when gonarthrosis for the elimination of pain and inflammation in the cavity of the joint injected hormonal medications. Also appointed the means, relaxing the muscles and the removal of vascular spasm, improve blood circulation.
After the removal of the acute inflammatory process in the period of remission is very well-proven intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid, which works as a natural joint fluid. Enveloping a deformed surface, protects and penetrates the inside of the cartilage, increasing its strength and elasticity.
Comprehensive medical therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the patient necessarily written chondroprotectors for the recovery of the cartilage in the form of ointments, tablets, injections.
Their main ingredients – glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate – are needed in the body to stimulate the synthesis of joint fluid, improving its lubricating properties, the restoration of cartilage.
Therapeutic exercise and massage
Massage effects and physiotherapy are designed to reduce pain, release the clamps and muscle spasms around the affected knee joint, improve blood circulation and nutrition of articular tissues, adjust the position of the bones, increase range of motion.
Nutrition for knee arthritis
An important element in treating arthritis is diet.
Patients who are overweight, make sure you have to get rid of superfluous kilograms.
Scientists believe that half of to reduce the intensity of painful feelings and significantly improve the motility of the knee joints when osteoarthritis is possible, if it is put down only 10% excess weight. Man you need to revise your diet and give up certain foods, in particular acute, smoked and marinated products, fatty varieties of meat and alcohol.
A large part of the supply must consist of fresh vegetables or steam dishes from them. Of meat products is worth more to cook the jelly, because this dish contains collagen and elastin, which are cartilage cells to restore their normal structure. It is necessary to increase the intake of foods containing calcium. For information: calcium is in large amounts present in large amounts in cheese, fermented products, hard cheeses, milk and sesame. Especially useful dishes containing gelatin: jelly fish, puddings, jellies. In gelatin many chondroprotectors, necessary for strengthening cartilage and prevent their trauma and thinning.
The use of prescribed by a doctor knee pad in osteoarthritis of the knee helps to stop the painful in the acute period, and restore the mobility of the joint. The effect is achieved through reducing the direct load on the affected joint. Bandage helps to restore the blood circulation in the tissues and nutrition of cartilage.
Folk methods of treatment
Using the methods of folk medicine is possible only as an auxiliary therapy. Domestic with the permission of the doctor can give a certain effect only in the osteoarthritis of 1 degree and the initial stage of arthrosis 2 degrees.
Tincture of nettle, garlic and juice from the lemon. For the preparation of drinks is a must:
- mix 100 g of nettle leaves with three having been cleansed by the heads of garlic;
- skip the mixture through a meat grinder;
- add 4 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice;
- all mix, add 250 ml of boiling water and cover;
- last for a period of 4 hours.
The finished drink is to be taken orally in an amount of 50 ml for 20-30 minutes before a meal. In the first week of the infusion is necessary to take 1 times a day, the next 8-14 days – 2 times a day. From the fifteenth day, the number of tricks you need to increase up to 3 times a day. Treatment for a longer period of time, not less than 2 months.
Tincture of the roots of Potentilla and cinquefoil. Blend in the crushed roots need to pour vodka in a ratio of 2: 1. Take the device must be for a period of 3 weeks in a dark place. The finished tincture is taken 1 tbsp every time before a meal.
Vodka infusions the golden control. For the preparation of the tincture 15 to kolentsi golden control poured 0.5 liters of vodka and infused in the course of a crescent. The finished tincture is also used 1 tablespoon before eating 3-4 times a day.
Bath with dandelions. For the preparation of baths is used, the tincture of the roots of dandelion. How to prepare it, you need 120 g of crushed roots of the dandelion mix with 150 ml of vodka and insist in a dark place for days. The prepared infusion is poured into a container with warm water, stir, drop into her knees.
To accept such a bath is recommended 1-2 times a week. You can use this solution for compress. After the procedure the pain in my knees is becoming less and improves joint mobility. The effectiveness of the treatment will be higher if you add in the water 150 g sea salt enriched with iodine and bromine.
Surgical treatment of arthrosis of the knee joints
It is indicated for persistent lesions of the joint, and means of dental – implantation of a metal prosthesis the place of the destroyed institution.